The UK government has announced important changes to language testing for visa applications, reducing the number of tests accepted for visa purposes and bringing in new requirements for the way the tests will be administered.

What is the IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration test?

IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration will be taken at an IELTS test centre which is specifically authorised for this purpose, and the test must be taken under conditions specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

IELTS Life Skills is a new English Language test offered by the three IELTS Test Partners - British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening, available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. IELTS Life Skills Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes. Test takers are assessed on their Listening and Speaking skills at the same time. They take the test with another person and an Examiner. Their performance on both Listening and Speaking will be assessed during this one session.

IELTS Life Skills is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk .

IELTS for UKVI Academic is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK.
If applying for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UK universities and colleges with HTS status, it is important for you to read the above information on TIER 4 student visa before applying’

IELTS for UKVI General Training is for test takers wishing to migrate to the UK and for those wishing to train or study below degree level.

Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

IELTS Life Skills A1

A1 on the CEFR / ESOL Entry 1 on NQF

IELTS Life Skills A1 is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A1 as part of their application to UKVI for Family, Spouse or Partner visa.

Components: Speaking and Listening

IELTS Life Skills B1

B1 on the CEFR / ESOL Entry 3 on the NQF

IELTS life Skills B1 is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B1 as part of their application to UKVI for citizenship/settlement.

Components: Speaking and Listening

When can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills for a UK visa application?

From 6 April 2015 you must take the test at an IELTS test centre authorised to run IELTS tests for UK visa and immigration purposes and you must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test for these purposes.

If you take IELTS on or before 5 April 2015 you should be able to use it for your application up to 5 November 2015, but you must confirm this with UKVI.

We will be announcing dates for registration and testing here shortly. Registration will begin on 26 March 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions (Test Takers)

1. Which IELTS test do I need if I am applying for a UK visa?

If you are applying for a UK visa in the UK, there is an IELTS test for you.

For visa applications to the UK, you may need to have an English language qualification.

In particular, for many categories of visa, you must submit an English language qualification which is included on the UK Home Office’s list of Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT tests). IELTS and IELTS Life Skills are on this list.

To find out whether you need to take an approved test, and what level you need to achieve, please visit www.gov.uk for more information.

If you wish to use an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills test result as part of your application for UK visa purposes (apart from some types of student visa), you may need to take the test at an IELTS test centre which is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration for this purpose, and the test must be taken under conditions specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You will receive an IELTS – or IELTS Life Skills – Test Report Form which shows that you have taken your test to meet the UKVI requirements.

3.Where can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills test for a UK visa application?

The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). These IELTS test centres will be announced here shortly

4.When can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills for a UK visa application?

We will be announcing dates for registration and testing here shortly. Registration will begin on 26 March 2015.

5.How often can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills Test?

The frequency of IELTS and IELTS Life Skills testing for UK visa and immigration purposes varies by location.

6. If I take an IELTS test for UK visa purposes, can I use my result in other countries / for other purposes?

Yes. IELTS test results are accepted by more than 9,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, colleges, governments and employers.

7. I’ve already taken IELTS. Can I still use my result to apply to UK Visas and Immigration?

If you take IELTS on or before 5 April 2015 you should be able to use it for your application up to 5 November 2015, but you must confirm this with UKVI.

From 6 April 2015 you must take the test at an IELTS test centre authorised to run IELTS tests for UK visa and immigration purposes and you must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test for these purposes

8.What do I need to do if I am applying to study at a British university or college?

When applying for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at most UK universities and colleges, different arrangements may apply – you should contact the institution you wish to apply to for more information.